Armenian Christmas 2023: Date & 5 Mind-Blowing Facts

Armenia is a unique country in itself. It celebrates many festivals differently from the world. On 6^th January 2023 when the western world will be busy taking down Christmas decorations, Armenia will celebrate Armenian Christmas 2023. For more than 1700 years, this holiday has been a part of Armenian tradition.

The Armenian Christmas is a joyful celebration that brings the Armenian community together and gives them a sense of cultural pride. It is an official holiday that will fall on January 6^th 2023. There is a lot of traditional and religious significance of Armenian Christmas. This blog has covered all of the above.

When is Armenian Christmas 2023?

Armenian Christmas will fall on 6^th January 2023. This date marks the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Armenians believe that Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem.

The Armenian Christmas holiday is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to reflect on the Christian values of love, peace, and goodwill.

Why does Armenian Celebrate Christmas on 6^th January?

Many of us may find the Christmas celebration date in Armenia odd. However, it is actually as per the Christian tradition. The fact is that most of the world has now adopted the Gregorian calendar, which places Jesus’ birth on 25th December. On the other hand, Armenians continue to use the older calendar.

According to the older Julian calendar, Christmas falls on 6th of January and Armenians are following this date.

Another theory behind the different dates is related to Soviet rule. You might know that when Armenia was under Soviet rule, Soviets banned the celebration of Christmas. Therefore, when Armenia regained its independence in 1991, the Armenian Orthodox Church decided to restore the celebration of Christmas on 6^th January.

Armenian Christmas Dates

Let’s take a look at the dates of Christmas in Armenia.

• Friday, 6^th January 2023 – Armenian Christmas 2023
• Saturday, 6^th January 2024 – Armenian Christmas 2024
• Monday, 6^th January 2025 – Armenian Christmas 2025
• Tuesday, 6^th January 2026 – Armenian Christmas 2026
• Wednesday, 6^th January 2027 – Armenian Christmas 2027

5 Mind-Blowing Facts about Armenian Christmas 2023

Here are less-known facts related to Armenian Christmas.

1. Different Santa Claus – Armenians have their own counterpart of Santa Claus. They call it Dzmar Pap.
2. Armenians bring home the church fire – Many people in Armenia bring home fire from the church. It is so because they believe that it will bring happiness to their homes.
3. Greeting Nears and Dears at the midnight – This is one of the most beautiful traditions of Armenian Christmas. All Armenians send festive greetings and wish to their neighbours and relatives at midnight.
4. Coin in Gata – Gata is a kind of traditional Armenian sweet bread. On Christmas, one of these bread has a coin. The person who finds that coin is considered the luckiest.  
5. Advice as a Gift – We all love Santa for his presents. However, Dzmer Pap the winter Godfather is a little different. In ancient times, he gave only advice as a gift and did not encourage any physical gift. 

Top Reasons to love Armenian Christmas 2023

Armenia is a culture-rich country with a lovely tradition. There are many reasons to love Armenian Christmas. Let’s discuss a few of them.

• For starters, it is a time to be with family and friends and to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas in Armenia is also a time for giving, as people exchange gifts and donate to charities.  
• The festive atmosphere is also a big part of the appeal, with decorated homes and streets, and Christmas lights and trees everywhere.
• Armenian cuisine is loved all over the world. It becomes extra special on the occasion of Christmas. You can see people enjoying Armenian dishes like dolma, khorovats and baklava on Christmas Eve.

Frequently Asked Questions

To conclude we can say that Armenian Christmas 2023 is a time to celebrate life and cherish the things that matter most to us. That is why we love Armenian Christmas, and why it is such a special time of year.